Fuel vaporizing device

Abstract

A device for completely vaporizing the fuel delivered to an internal combustion engine so as to minimize the emission of air pollutants. The device includes a heat conducting tubular housing, a heat conducting screen within and coaxial with the housing with an annular space between the housing and the screen, a heat conducting helical coil within the annular space and coaxial with the housing and the screen, and means for heating the helical coil, either electrically, or with heated air. In one form, a diffuser within and coaxial with the screen adjacent the inlet of the housing directs a fuel and air mixture outwardly into contact with the screen, helical coil and housing. In another form, a fuel injecting means within and coaxial with the screen adjacent the inlet end of the housing sprays fuel toward the outlet end of the housing and outwardly against the screen. A de-icer tube communicates with the inlet end of the housing for delivering heated air thereto under icing conditions.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. In a fuel vaporizing device for installation between a carburetor and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine with the device extending into the intake manifold, the combination of: (a) a heat conducting tubular housing having an open, upper inlet end and an open, lower outlet end;   (b) means for mounting said housing between the carburetor and the intake manifold of the engine with the housing extending downwardly into the intake manifold;   (c) a heat conducting screen within and coaxial with and substantially parallel to said housing, there being an annular space between said housing and said screen;   (d) a heat conducting helical coil within said annular space and coaxial with said housing and said screen, said helical coil being in contact with said screen and spaced radially inwardly from said housing; and   (e) means for heating said helical coil.   
     
     
       2. A fuel vaporizing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said helical coil is in contact with said screen and is spaced radially inwardly from said housing. 
     
     
       3. A fuel vaporizing device as set forth in claim 1 including fuel injecting means within and coaxial with said screen adjacent said inlet end of said housing, for spraying fuel toward said outlet end of said housing and outwardly against said screen. 
     
     
       4. A fuel vaporizing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing, said screen and said helical coil are all metallic. 
     
     
       5. A fuel vaporizing device according to claim 1 including a de-icer tube communicating with said inlet end of said housing for delivering heated air thereto. 
     
     
       6. A fuel vaporizing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said helical coil is a double helix and wherein said means for heating said helical coil is electrical. 
     
     
       7. A fuel vaporizing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said helical coil is a single helix and tubular, and wherein said means for heating said helical coil includes means for delivering heated air thereto adjacent said inlet end of said housing. 
     
     
       8. In a fuel vaporizing device for an internal combustion engine, the combination of: (a) a heat conducting tubular housing having inlet and outlet ends:   (b) a heat conducting screen within and coaxial with and substantially parallel to said housing, there being an annular space between said housing and said screen, said screen being perforated over at least a major portion of its surface;   (c) a heat conducting helical coil within said annular space and coaxial with said housing and said screen;   (d) means for heating said helical coil; and   (e) diffuser means within and coaxial with said screen adjacent said inlet end of said housing, and having openings therein through which a mixture of fuel and air may flow, for directing the mixture outwardly into contact with said screen, said helical coil and said housing.